cars

The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Encore GX: Affordable and stylish subcompact keeps performance on the down-low

With its days of producing cushy family sedans in the distant past,…

  • Jul 8, 2023
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Ford Mustang: A return to its heritage-driven glory and brash behaviour

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • Jun 24, 2023
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Wrangler updates; Hyundai eyes a new coupe + more

Enjoy a brief look at what’s making news in the auto world……

  • Jun 23, 2023
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.

New Car Dealers make provincial pre-budget submission

By Blair Qualey An important part of the provincial budget process is…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale: An Italian compact utility vehicle for the masses?

Alfa Romeo is one of three Italy-based brands available in North America…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO
The Uber App is pictured on a smart phone in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Monday, December 30, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Fear of bears, cougars forced B.C. man to use Uber, lawsuit claims

Ride-hailing service used during wrangle over car purchase

The Uber App is pictured on a smart phone in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Monday, December 30, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Talking Jeep, Bentley, Sonata and more

Jeep’s future Recon mission The Stellantis brand has the plug-in hybrid Wrangler…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The RAV4 Prime makes 302 horsepower compared with the Outlander PHEV’s 248. In EV mode, the Prime is rated at 2.5 l/100 km equivalency versus the PHEV’s 3.6. That’s with full battery packs. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2023 Outlander PHEV + 2023 RAV4 Prime: Is it time to plug in?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) represent the midpoint between nonplug-in hybrids and…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The RAV4 Prime makes 302 horsepower compared with the Outlander PHEV’s 248. In EV mode, the Prime is rated at 2.5 l/100 km equivalency versus the PHEV’s 3.6. That’s with full battery packs. PHOTO: TOYOTA
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.

New distance-based discount from ICBC may benefit remote workers

By Blair Qualey In a post-pandemic world in which many British Columbians…

  • Jun 19, 2023
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA

Kia’s 2024 EV9; Mercedes electric G-Class; Subaru Crosstrek updates + More

Kia reveals 2024 EV9 in final form The brand’s full-size electric utility…

  • Jun 7, 2023
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA
Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Vietnamese-made electric cars arrive at Port of Nanaimo for sale in Canada

More than 750 VinFast electric vehicles being processed at Nanaimo’s B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre

Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)

ICBC rolls out new discount for vehicles driven under 10,000 km a year

Insurance corporation says savings could be between 10 and 15%

ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)
Armstrong’s Marty Eckert was handed the keys to his new Volkswagen Taos Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Eckert won the car through Tim Hortons’ Roll Up the Rim to Win contest. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

North Okanagan man Rolls Up new Volkswagen with Tim Hortons coffee

‘I thought it was a joke. I had to call my wife to come and verify that it was actually real’

Armstrong’s Marty Eckert was handed the keys to his new Volkswagen Taos Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Eckert won the car through Tim Hortons’ Roll Up the Rim to Win contest. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Bling Performance in Penticton did a vinyl wrap on a 1969 van which appears in episode 3 of Discovery Channel’s Bush Wreck Rescue, starring Okanagan custom car builder Bill Desrosier. (Still from Bush Wreck Rescue)

Photos: Penticton auto detailer featured in new TV series Bush Wreck Rescue

Bling Performance wraps a ‘hippie’ 1969 Chevy V10 van in the Discovery Channel show

Bling Performance in Penticton did a vinyl wrap on a 1969 van which appears in episode 3 of Discovery Channel’s Bush Wreck Rescue, starring Okanagan custom car builder Bill Desrosier. (Still from Bush Wreck Rescue)
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo

Celebrating progress in zero-emission vehicle adoption

By Blair Qualey The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) hosted…

  • May 29, 2023
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET

2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: representing performance progress more than change

The eighth-generation Corvette, launched for 2020, brought the biggest change in the…

  • May 21, 2023
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET
FILE - Symbols painted on the street indicate a bicycle path in Montreal on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Montreal has been known for decades as a global innovator in urban biking and the first city in North America to develop an extensive network of physically separated on-street bicycle lanes. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Millions ditched cars for bikes during pandemic, these cities want habit to stick

Numbers suggest that if you build it, people will ride

FILE - Symbols painted on the street indicate a bicycle path in Montreal on Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Montreal has been known for decades as a global innovator in urban biking and the first city in North America to develop an extensive network of physically separated on-street bicycle lanes. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
A man from Washington State had his car impounded after he was caught driving 262 km/h on the Coquihalla Highway on Sunday, May 7. (BC Highway Patrol)

Zoom zoom: Washington man facing charges after going 262 km/h on Coquihalla

The man in his 50’s had his car impounded around 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 7

A man from Washington State had his car impounded after he was caught driving 262 km/h on the Coquihalla Highway on Sunday, May 7. (BC Highway Patrol)
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Ferrari’s crossover; An updated Encore + more

Buick updates the Encore GX The recent departure of the compact Encore…

  • May 6, 2023
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.

The value of local franchised New Car Dealerships

By Blair Qualey Across British Columbia, there are more than 400 franchised…

  • May 1, 2023
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.